Friday, March 30

49 Wonders of Vinegar

In my quest to support a greener environment and create a pure and simple life for my family, the switch from chemical and bleach cleaners to vinegar was made. In a time where chemicals seem to have replaced bacteria and viruses as a main threat to our health, this change was an easy and efficient way to reduce our exposure to harmful, hormone altering chemicals that commercial house-hold cleaners contain.

Over the years I have enjoyed the ease and effectiveness of vinegar. It is definitely a "natural wonder" and can be used in so many ways! Keep in mind, all of these tips are for use with "White Distilled Vinegar", the type you find on your grocery store shelves. If you dislike the scent of vinegar, add some fresh squeezed lemon juice or a couple drops of lavender essential oil (mix well).

Vinegar

all natural, economical, antibacterial,

environmentally friendly & non-toxic.

(No matter how many edits I do - "Spacing Issues abound"... (HTML coding skills not in my repertoire - yet...)

8.Wash fruits and vegetables. Mix three parts water to one part vinegar and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Before washing, spray fresh produce with the liquid to remove bacteria and pesticide residues.

9. Floor cleaner. Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water.

10. Freshen wilted vegetables. Soak them in 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar.

28. Clean the dishwasher. Run a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.

29. Clean stainless steel. Wipe with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

30. Remove stains from pots. Fill the pot with a solution of 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water. Boil until stain loosens and can be washed away.

31. Clean the microwave. Boil a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen food particles from microwave walls and deodorize.

32. Get stained white socks and dingy dishcloths white again. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

33. Eliminate cooking smells. Let simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution.

34. Unclog steam iron. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber. Turn to steam and leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow to cool. Any loose particles should come out when you empty the water.

35. Rid the windshield wipers of road grime by wiping them with a vinegar-soaked cloth.

36. Remove lint from clothes. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of the washing machine. This also helps to brighten fabric colours.

37. Freshen the washing machine. Pour 1 cup of vinegar in the machine and let it run through a regular cycle (no clothes added). Will dissolve soap residue.

38. Remove tough stains. Gently rub vinegar on the stains before placing in the washing machine.

40. Remove decals. Brush with a couple of coats of vinegar and allow to soak before washing off.

41. Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.

42. Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar for each litre of water.

43. Water or alcohol marks on wood. Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placed on wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.

44. Clean the wheel of a can opener using white distilled vinegar and an old toothbrush.

45. Stop insect stings and bites from itching by dabbing them with a cotton ball saturated with undiluted white distilled vinegar.

46. Soothe sunburn with a spray of white distilled vinegar, repeating as often as you like. Ice-cold white distilled vinegar will feel even better, and may prevent blistering and peeling.

48.When boiling or steaming cauliflower, beets or other vegetables, add a teaspoon or two of white distilled vinegar to the water to help them keep their colour. This will also improve their taste, and reduce gassy elements. This also works when cooking beans and bean dishes.

49. Make pasta less sticky and reduce some of its starch. Add just a dash of white distilled vinegar to the water as it cooks.

Why only 49 Wonders of vinegar??

Hoping that you will comment with some of your own tried and true uses.

About Me

Welcome to my blog. I am a long-time aromatherapist, esthetician, instructor, natural cosmetic chef and entrepreneur. Wife to a wonderful man and mother of 2 amazing young men. Someone with a passion and gift for creating fresh & natural products. I believe things happen for a reason. I am motivated by a desire to "do good", to be creative and to appreciate pure-joy moments. Pure & simple – this is a blog about the journey of Purple Essentials, along with a mix of things that inspire me. Thank you for stopping by :) Come back soon...